Water quality challenges in the Elk Valley are connected to the long history of mining in the region. The mining process generates large quantities of leftover rock that contains naturally-occurring substances such as selenium, an element that is essential for human and animal health in small amounts. Water from both precipitation and runoff flows through these rock piles and carries selenium and other substances, such as nitrate, into the local watershed. If present in high enough concentrations in the watershed, these substances can adversely affect aquatic health.

We are conducting extensive studies and monitoring of water quality and aquatic health which includes regular water quality sampling at approximately 100 stations in the Elk Valley. To date, regional monitoring indicates that current levels of selenium and other substances are not impacting populations of fish or birds. Monitoring shows that selenium concentrations have been reduced downstream of our operational water treatment facility at Line Creek as a result of water treatment and we expect further significant reductions as the Fording and Elkview facilities come on line.

Sharing Monitoring Results
Teck is committed to being transparent with stakeholders as we implement the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan. We make data and results from ongoing water quality, aquatic and animal health research and monitoring undertaken as part of the Plan available, and we will continue to share those results going forward. This includes Annual Reports completed by an Environmental Monitoring Committee comprised of an independent scientist and representatives from the B.C. Government, Ktunaxa Nation Council, Interior Health Authority, and Teck. Monitoring reports related to the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan can be found here. 

2019 Fish Counts

As part of our planned monitoring, the results of the 2019 Westslope Cutthroat Trout fish counts were 74% lower for juveniles and 93% lower for adults than the 2017 counts in the Fording River upstream of Josephine Falls. Fish counts for juveniles were 96% lower in Harmer Creek and 25% lower in Grave Creek, while fish counts for adults were 26% lower in Harmer Creek and 25% higher in Grave Creek compared to 2018 counts. Harmer and Grave Creeks are located in watersheds adjacent to Teck’s Line Creek and Elkview Operations and flow into the Elk River 4.5 km south of the confluence of the Elk and Fording Rivers. The final Upper Fording River report can be found here.
 
The reasons for the lower fish counts are unknown at this time. Teck has established a team of external experts led by Beth Power, a Registered Professional Biologist and Approved Professional with over 30-years experience, to evaluate possible causes and deliver a report later this year. Using science and local knowledge, the expert team is examining a range of possible causes including water quality, water use, predation, food availability and algae among others. 
 
Teck is also working with the Ktunaxa Nation Council, government regulators, the Environmental Monitoring Committee and the Elk Valley Fish and Fish Habitat Committee to gather more data, evaluate possible causal factors and address ongoing protection of fish. We are taking precautionary measures to limit handling and sampling of fish and limit water use at our operations during low-flow periods.

Teck is investing $30 million this year in over 20 research and development projects. These include projects to continue to improve our understanding of water quality, source control and treatment options. Three examples of this work are:

• Alternative treatment technologies We are exploring the use of smaller water treatment facilities that can be built much closer to where the treatment is needed.

• Nitrate prevention This includes using liners that prevent explosives that contain nitrate – used in the mining process – from coming in contact with water.

• Waste Covers We are continuing to evaluate different forms of physical covers for waste rock piles ranging from vegetative to geosynthetic covers to see if feasible and effective options can be identified.

This biological treatment process removes nitrate and transforms selenium into a solid form through a process that includes the following steps:

• Biological treatment to convert dissolved forms of selenium to solid form

• Nitrate is converted into inert nitrogen gas and safely released

• Solid selenium is extracted and safely disposed of in a secure onsite waste facility

• Treated water is discharged

Clean water diversions involve the construction of earthen dikes or other physical barriers and/or pipes to direct clean water around mining activities.